The Ritz-Carlton Hotel VIP Villas
Construction of 23 single storey VIP Villas at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Project Overview
Construction of 23 single storey VIP Villas at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which feature gabled roofs and Caribbean style exteriors and are set in luxuriantly landscaped gardens. Additionally, two housekeeping buildings, three ornamental shade structures, two electrical substations, access roads and walkways were constructed. The villas each have a built-up area of 340m2 and consist of an entrance lobby, a living/dining area, a master bedroom and bathroom, two further bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a pantry, a service room & bathroom, external verandas and a private swimming pool.
Completed in only 10 months, the villas were to originally accommodate the Heads of State attending the 2003 Pan ArabConference, which was later transferred to Cairo. The villas were subsequently first occupied by the teams taking part in theMiddle East’s first Formula One Grand Prix held in Bahrain.
Construction of the villas and ancillary buildings comprise of reinforced concrete strip footings, columns and beams, plain and insulated concrete block walls, in situ concrete flat roof slabs (with fair faced and decorative grooved soffit in the villas) protected by thermal insulation, waterproofing membranes and screed, all covered by Kalzip aluminium pitched roofs on structural steel trusses. There are extensive GRC decorative features including finials and fascias at roof level, simulated timber wall panels, screening at windows and railings. The walls are plastered externally and decorated with special lime-effect paint. Aluminium double-glazed windows and sliding/folding doors are installed throughout. Interior works include plastering, while other finishes were carried out by a separate specialist.
Supply, installation and commissioning of all electro-mechanical systems were carried out by GPZ’s MEP Division. Electrical works included a building management system, installation of supplied light fittings, dimming systems, MATV & CCTV, telephones, music systems, fire alarm system and street lighting. Mechanical works included heating, ventilation and air conditioning, the latter being supplied with chilled water from a remote services yard via an underground duct, fire-fighting systems, plumbing installations, drainage and irrigation.
The 23 infinity swimming pools, each comprising of reinforced concrete slabs and walls with stone-filled overflow channels, are finished with glass mosaic tiling. Each swimming pool is accompanied by a heating/cooling system and plant room. Tensioned membrane shading is erected over the verandas and swimming pools. External works around the villas include the construction of access roads, car parks and walkways with interlocking precast concrete pavers.
